Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has asked for an urgent boost in security presence in the Ekiti Local Government Area after fresh attacks in Eruku on Tuesday.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor called for more personnel to join the security teams already in the troubled area. The statement said, “The Governor has sought immediate deployment of more security operatives to support the existing security architecture in the area. He requested that this new measure be activated immediately.”
AbdulRazaq condemned what he described as an “unconscionable attack” and sent his sympathy to families affected, especially members of the Christ Apostolic Church where part of the violence took place. He also assured residents that the government would keep supporting security agencies to protect people and property across the state.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for deploying 900 more troops to Kwara, saying the move should help reinforce security operations.
The community came under two separate evening attacks on Tuesday. In the first incident, gunmen entered the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku during a special service and opened fire on worshippers. Residents said three people were killed on the spot, while the pastor and several others were taken away by the attackers. Locals also noted that the armed men escaped through bush paths leading to nearby areas in Kogi State.
A second assault was reported along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, where travellers and residents were ambushed. Many people fled into surrounding bushes to escape the gunfire.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson Adetohun Ejire-Adeyemi said in a statement that an “attempted bandit attack” happened in the town around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. According to her, the Divisional Police Officer in Eruku, along with his men and local vigilantes, moved quickly towards the sound of gunshots, forcing the attackers to run into the bush.
Ejire-Adeyemi added, “A male victim, Mr Aderemi, was fatally shot inside the church, while another victim, Mr Tunde Asaba Ajayi, was found dead in the bush. A vigilante, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for treatment.”
An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said, “The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately. They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and marched them into the bush.”
Another witness, a traveller returning from Niger State, shared a distress voice note. He said, “We suddenly ran into them. Everybody abandoned their cars and scattered into the bush. They came around 6:30 p.m. and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken. They are still shooting, you can hear it.”
A community leader, Benjamin Ayeoribe, said the town has faced repeated assaults in recent weeks. He said, “We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day.”
